Sparkmind Vc
About Sparkmind Vc
Sources disagree on the founding year. PitchBook, Tracxn and several trackers give 2017, while the firm's LinkedIn page and some profiles give 2019. Its first fund, a 2020 vintage managed by the firm, was announced in March 2020 with a target of €40 million at first close and €60 million at final close. The LinkedIn page later describes a €55 million fund launched in January 2020. The firm's learning page reports €55.3 million in commitments, called to invest in 26 companies. Partners named in public profiles are Kai Talas (co-founder and partner), Marko Kyyrönen (managing partner) and Vesa Laakso (partner). Altss lists Ilkka Kivimäki as a founding partner, but no other source names him. Tracxn counts three partners on the team.
The firm's Lounge-relevant AI exposure sits inside its learning mandate. Superscout says it has a particular interest in opportunities that use artificial intelligence. Waveup names Fretello, an AI-driven music education platform, among its portfolio companies. Wonderway, a corporate learning platform built on AI, is listed as acquired in 2024. Venture Capital Archive's profile of its pre-seed fund lists AI alongside fintech and health tech. Unicorn Nest counts three AI-tagged investments among the firm's deals. The sources do not state round sizes or check amounts for the AI deals.
The firm's LinkedIn page says it invests from pre-seed to Series A, with initial investments typically between €500,000 and €1.5 million and follow-on capacity of up to €5.5 million per company. Waveup gives a broader range of Seed to Series B, with individual investments up to €5 million, and says the firm often takes a lead role. The f4 profile lists a check range of $500,000 to $3 million. Tracxn reports 8 seed-stage and 5 Series A investments with average round sizes, but these figures come from its own data.
- Fretello: AI-driven music education platform; year and round not stated in the sources.
- Wonderway: corporate learning AI platform; listed as acquired in 2024; round not stated.
Investing activity
Sparkmind Vc is listed on AI Lounge as a venture capital investor. The deals desk records Series A and later AI rounds and seeds over $10M, so smaller checks may not show here yet.
Deals
Frequently asked questions about Sparkmind Vc
When was Sparkmind.vc founded?
Sources disagree. Several trackers give 2017, while the firm's LinkedIn page and some profiles give 2019. Its first fund was launched in January 2020.
What funds does Sparkmind.vc manage?
Its first fund is reported at €55 million, with a 2020 vintage and a Helsinki base. The firm's learning page reports €55.3 million in commitments across 26 companies.
What check size does Sparkmind.vc write?
The firm's LinkedIn page gives initial investments of €500,000 to €1.5 million, with follow-on capacity up to €5.5 million per company. Other sources give broader ranges.
Does Sparkmind.vc invest in AI startups?
AI is one of its areas of interest within learning. Fretello, an AI-driven music education platform, and Wonderway, a corporate learning AI platform, appear in its portfolio.
Who are the partners at Sparkmind.vc?
Public profiles name Kai Talas as co-founder and partner, Marko Kyyrönen as managing partner, and Vesa Laakso as partner.
How can founders reach Sparkmind Vc?
Founders on AI Lounge can see Sparkmind Vc's contact details in AI Investor Contacts (paid plans), check for a warm introduction through members who worked with the firm under Warm Paths, and add Sparkmind Vc to their Investor Pipeline to track the conversation.